So i'm starting to tool my shop. Predominantly woodworking, but I have also inherited a oxy/acetalyne torch and a Lincoln tombstone welder that i'll have setup at some point.

Got this drill press from my dad, i think i posted elsewhere where i cleaned it up. I built this stand for it on casters. You'll find that one of the themes for the woodshop and things i build as far as organization/carts/etc... i don't want to see any fasteners. So i'll be using more half-lap joinery, mortise and tenon, dados, etc. And pocket-holes if i need to use screws. Here's the stand for the drill press

Also picked up this Dust Collector. Will ultimately build a 2-stage cyclone setup, but this is a 2HP, 1700 CFM unit from Grizzly. Runs on 220, so i'm wiring up the shop with 220 plugs here and there to future proof for 'bigger' tools as well (planer/jointer/table saw/etc).

Also picked up insulation and sheeting for the double bay. This will go up as soon as wiring is done, next couple weeks.

Next, I built some clamp racks for my growing collection of Bessey clamps. First i started by laminating some 3/4 AC ply

Then i cut grooves for the bars. Did this by drilling holes on the drill press, then hogging out the material with the table saw

Used some scrap material to create this for Quick Clamps and spring clamps

Here they are together. Once the walls are insulated and sheeted, i'll probably put these on french cleats on this wall so they're more modular, and moveable

We wanted to declutter the garage a little, and also get the "trailer stuff" closer to the trailer, so I insulated and sheeted this section and then built some shelves. This stuff is used for camping, tailgating, etc, so it made sense to have it so close to the RV

And here's my wood storage for now. All of this will get used in the coming month or so for various projects

New tools!!

My framing nailer went bad, so I splurged and picked up this new Ridgid

And also a new Brad nailer

And shoot, why not a new palm router

The Ridgid lifetime service agreement is why I have been choosing Ridgid tools in addition to my normal DeWalt fanboy bias, and it helps that most of these that I've purchased have been on sale

Weight was a big factor, the Ridgid has a Mg bell housing so it's light... needed to shoot short 2" nails well as well as full size sinkers, since i use 2" galvy ring shanks for fencing. Ridgid does both really well. Feels great in the hand, has a nice rafter hook that you can loop on your bags too if on a ladder or whatever. The depth adjustment is super slick too, very easy even with gloves on. Got great reviews online as well from pros. This is the 'new' Ridgid. The previous model did have issues feeding short nails, so stay away from that one. It came down to this one and a Hitachi, which is kind of the standard around here. Every framing crew you see will be running Hitachi.

And the kicker was the LSA (lifetime service agreement), which beyond the mfg warranty will cover failure outside of abuse.

One little shop project today, weather was so nice I tried to take advantage of it and work outside.

But, today I put a decent blade on my miter saw, Diablo thin kerf 60 tooth. And, fabbed a zero clearance plate as well. Lots of detail you can't see. Had to rabbet the underside edges, and routed out recesses for various things underneath, since I made it out of 3/4" ply

See the difference, the red inserts were factory, and flimsy plastic at that

For those who have no idea why you'd want zero-clearance inserts, this way the workpiece is supported right up to the cut line, so you get less tear out. Really only matters for precision cuts... could care less for framing material

You could probably cut a 2x2 to length to fit inside of the shelf at the corner. Start at the top so you can drive a screw up from the bottom of the bottom shelf to secure the bottom of the leg. Maybe make the bottom leg a little beefier as you won't be able to attach that one to the floor.

You could probably cut a 2x2 to length to fit inside of the shelf at the corner. Start at the top so you can drive a screw up from the bottom of the bottom shelf to secure the bottom of the leg. Maybe make the bottom leg a little beefier as you won't be able to attach that one to the floor.

Almost done sheeting, thanks to my dad who helped me all day yesterday. He was my cut man. 18 junction boxes and a electrical panel to cut out. It's not screwed off yet, but will do that and the rest of the small pieces over the next couple days

I would stick with the wood look as well. Shows less dinge and damage. You could spray it with fence sealant to add a little reflectivity for light and keep the wood still protected, where it's inside it's more than likely a single application needed